Post by blasted1 on Nov 20, 2009 6:34:23 GMT -5

so after talking to the wife we are going to roo next year and we are taking the kids. does anyone have experience with taking a 3 and 4 year old? im sure they will have fun and it will be a blast for us too but has anyone had problems with bringing a toddler, or 2?

Post by blasted1 on Nov 20, 2009 7:47:22 GMT -5

just a tent wit a box fan. we have taken them on multiday camping trips before in the tennessee heat. they love camping and music. im more or less worried that they might get stepped on or hell, i dont know. ive been 3 times so far and have wanted to ask someone with kids what it is like. missing late night? taking the little ones to late night. i think there will be 4 adults in our group so i think we could split kid duty for late night but im just currious as to what can we do to make it best for the kids and still be a great time for us.

Post by dreamingtree on Nov 20, 2009 8:58:28 GMT -5

Personally I would not take kids that age. When my daughter was little enough to be in a stroller, or to be carried, I took her to many concerts and festivals. After she was about 7 or 8 I took her, because she was old enough to stay on her feet and not be carried if she got tired. She came to Phish at Big Cypress with us when she was 7, and had a blast, but even at that age we had to miss a lot of things.

At 3 or 4 they are still at that in between age and you really have to keep an eye on them every single second. I wouldn't be so much worried about the camping part, moreso the heat, no shade, and chaos that is Centeroo. I would wait a few years.

I have no issues with kids at Bonnaroo as long as they are taken care of well, and the parents put them first, but really I think it would be a nightmare to take kids that age. It seems like you would miss so much stuff, would it really be worth going?

Post by blasted1 on Nov 20, 2009 10:25:18 GMT -5

i see what you are saying. we have this kick ass radio flyer wagon if they get tired. it has a canopy on it and padded seats. they will have comfort in that aspect. im still not set on going at all but if we do we will bring the kids. they are pretty tough and i think they will have a blast. if i miss some late night stuff it wont kill me. god knows ive done it before. i am more worried about them having fun with other kids too. i know there are a lot of young kids at roo so i think it should be a good time for them and us. our 12 year old will be with us as well. he knows there are things at roo that re not part of his life and he is going to stay with us the whole time. i know some are aginst a 12 year old at roo but we believe he will be fine.

Post by dreamingtree on Nov 20, 2009 10:53:02 GMT -5

i see what you are saying. we have this kick ass radio flyer wagon if they get tired. it has a canopy on it and padded seats. they will have comfort in that aspect. im still not set on going at all but if we do we will bring the kids. they are pretty tough and i think they will have a blast. if i miss some late night stuff it wont kill me. god knows ive done it before. i am more worried about them having fun with other kids too. i know there are a lot of young kids at roo so i think it should be a good time for them and us. our 12 year old will be with us as well. he knows there are things at roo that re not part of his life and he is going to stay with us the whole time. i know some are aginst a 12 year old at roo but we believe he will be fine.

A shaded wagon will definitely make it easier yeah. Just know that you will miss a lot of stuff though and seriously cramp your style I have been taking my daughter to Roo since she was 14 with no issues. So I think taking a 12 year old is fine, as long as he stays with you. I think he will be the least of your problems lol!

At 14 my daughter stayed with us the whole time, at 15 & 16 she bought a friend and I mostly let them go off and do their thing and kept in touch via texting. This year at 17, I finally let her go off with her friends but she still camped with us.

Post by alieblue on Dec 11, 2009 16:50:19 GMT -5

I remember seeing a bunch of kids at Bonnaroo. We plan on taking our kid when she's a bit older (she'll only be 18 months at the time of this Roo).

We have a really big tent with high roof and at Roo '08 I was preggo and felt comfy in that thing. I also carried a Camelbak and refilled constantly and returned back to camp in midafternoon to take a nap. I also only tried for latenight once because I didn't want to kill myself or my spawn. Because I was pregnant, I always had someone from my group with me, so I kinda was like a kid needing babysitting of a sort.

Because I waspreggo I didn't drink or anything and think I had a better time that year than before when I could partake in festive activities. I really felt more connected to the place as a whole, and remember the shows, the food the everything in a whole different (good) manner.

Have a plan of action - who is going to stay at camp during nap times, or have stuff so one can camp in Centeroo. Know who will miss latenight to cover camp. Look at the show schedule and plan accordingly. Pack plenty of snacks.

The portapotties - have they experenced them before? You may want somehow to have them experience them or bring a portable potty. I know the catalog and Website one step ahead or something carries a little potty that folds up with a handle and looks like a laptop bag.

They won't get stepped on - people are really great with kids at Bonnaroo. I was really checking that out when pregnant, wondering if I could return with my baby. I felt really confident that once she was old enough to walk on her own and speak, we would bring her.

Also there is family camping which is closer to Centeroo, Kidz Jamz which is a place where the kids can play and get out from the sun right in Centeroo. People will let a kid butt in line at a porta potty and I know I offered up spots of shade when I saw a parent and kid.